The Orthodox Union, and most especially Rabbi Steven Weil, deserve a standing ovation for the conference, “Recalibrating Our Moral and Ethical Compass” as reported in your Jan. 8 issue (“Orthodox Grapple With Rash Of Scandals”) I had the honor of listening to his Shabbat sermon just before the High Holy Days in 2008 when he challenged his congregation to not judge the Rubashkin family about its misconduct regarding its employees at Agriprocessors, Inc. without the congregants first looking to themselves and those in their employ, such as their housekeepers, nannies, etc.
It is unfortunate that among my generation I’ve become increasingly aware of unacceptable financial conduct. A few years ago, to cite one example, I was acquainted with someone who looked down upon me as a second-class Orthodox Jew because, among other things, I have a television in my home. But unlike this person, as I soon became aware, I declare all my taxable income.
The message and suggestions for change addressed in the OU-sponsored conference needs to be echoed throughout the entire Jewish community from every shtiebel in Flatbush to chavurot in Juneau, Alaska.
Manhattan
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